ABSTRACT
We here report a 77-year-old Japanese male who suffered general fatigue with progressive thirst and polyuria. Central diabetes insipidus was diagnosed by depletion of vasopressin secretion in response to increases in serum osmolality. Secretory responses of anterior pituitary hormones including adrenocorticotropin, thyrotropin, gonadotropins and growth hormone were severely impaired. Diffuse swelling of the infundibulum as well as lack of T1-hyperintense signal in the posterior lobe was noted by pituitary magnetic resonance imaging. The presence of bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy and increased CD4/CD8 ratio in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was diagnostic for lung sarcoidosis. Physiological doses of corticosteroid and thyroid hormone were administered in addition to desmopressin supplementation. Complete regression of the neurohypophysial swelling was notable two years after corticosteroid replacement. Diffuse damage of anterior pituitary combined with hypothalamic involvement leading to central diabetes insipidus is a rare manifestation in such elderly patients with neurosarcoidosis.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic/etiology , Hypopituitarism/complications , Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary/complications , Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary/diagnosis , Aged , Deamino Arginine Vasopressin/therapeutic use , Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic/drug therapy , Hormone Replacement Therapy , Humans , Hydrocortisone/therapeutic use , Hypopituitarism/drug therapy , Male , Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary/drug therapy , Thyroxine/therapeutic useABSTRACT
A 39-year-old Japanese woman was admitted to our hospital for severe weakness owing to potassium deficiency caused by type 1 renal tubular acidosis (RTA1). Sicca complex, serological tests, and lip biopsy revealed that she had Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Acidosis was corrected by alkali supplement treatment. She also had an impaired renal function with proteinuria, and high absorbance on Ga scintigram was recognized in both kidneys. She was taking warfarin potassium after aortic valve substitution due to aortic regurgitation, therefore renal biopsy was not performed. Prednisone (20 mg/day) was administered for renal inflammation. One month later, she suffered severe chest wall pains with some local tender points over the costae of both sides, which was presumed to be due to pseudo-fractures based on osteomalacia. Hypokalemic paralysis and osteomalacia should be taken into consideration in the diagnosis of SS with RTA1.
